Grand Cherokee 4WD V8-4.7L (2003)
Air Bag: Service and Repair
Driver Airbag
Removal and Installation
DRIVER AIRBAG
The following procedure is for replacement of a faulty or damaged driver airbag. If the airbag is faulty or damaged, but not deployed, review the
recommended procedures for handling non-deployed supplemental restraints. If the driver airbag has been deployed, review the recommended
procedures for service after a supplemental restraint deployment before removing the airbag from the vehicle.
WARNING:
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ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING
ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG, PASSENGER AIRBAG, FRONT IMPACT SENSOR, SIDE
IMPACT SENSOR, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE.
DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE
SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY
SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS
COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
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USE EXTREME CARE TO PREVENT ANY FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM ENTERING THE DRIVER AIRBAG, OR BECOMING
ENTRAPPED BETWEEN THE DRIVER AIRBAG CUSHION AND THE DRIVER AIRBAG TRIM COVER. FAILURE TO
OBSERVE THIS WARNING COULD RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURIES UPON AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
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WHEN REMOVING A DEPLOYED AIRBAG, RUBBER GLOVES, EYE PROTECTION, AND A LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT SHOULD
BE WORN. THERE MAY BE DEPOSITS ON THE AIRBAG CUSHION AND OTHER INTERIOR SURFACES. IN LARGE DOSES,
THESE DEPOSITS MAY CAUSE IRRITATION TO THE SKIN AND EYES.
REMOVAL
Fig. 21 Driver Airbag Remove/Install
1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
2. From the underside of the steering wheel, remove the two screws that secure the driver airbag to the steering wheel armature.
3. Pull the driver airbag away from the steering wheel far enough to access the three electrical connections on the back of the airbag housing.
4. Disconnect the steering wheel wire harness connector for the horn switch from the horn switch feed pigtail wire connector, which is located on the
back of the driver airbag housing.
CAUTION: Do not pull on the clockspring pigtail wires or pry on the connector insulator to disengage the connector from the driver airbag
inflator connector receptacle. Improper removal of these pigtail wires and their connector insulators can result in damage to the airbag circuits or
connector insulators.
5. The clockspring driver airbag pigtail wire connectors are secured by an integral lock to the airbag inflator connector receptacles, which are located
at the back of the driver airbag housing. Firmly grasp and pull the lock straight out from the connector insulator, then pull the insulators straight
out from the airbag inflator to disconnect them from the connector receptacles.
6. Remove the driver airbag from the steering wheel.
